PSV concluded their practice campaign with a victory on Wednesday. The Lichtstadderby against local rivals FC Eindhoven ended in 3-2, thanks in part to two goals from Ricardo Pepi.
Trainer Peter Bosz had a small selection at his disposal. New additions Yarek Gasiorowski, Ruben van Bommel, and Alassane Pléa were not present, nor were Ivan Perisic and the new captain Jerdy Schouten, among others. Four outfield players and two goalkeepers were on the bench.
Nick Olij was in goal. His new competitor Matej Kovár remained on the bench. The sixth newcomer, Kiliann Sildillia, played ninety minutes as right-back. In addition, talents Noah Fernandez and Joël van den Berg were given a chance by Bosz.
Pepi, on the way back after a serious knee injury, was allowed to start in the point of attack. The American opened the scoring after just seven minutes with a shot into the top corner. But it wasn’t long before it was 1-1 again. Olij clumsily gave the ball away and Sven Blummel was then able to slide the ball into the empty goal.
Pepi on target, PSV defense not watertight
But the 2-1 and 3-1 for PSV were not long in coming either. Within fifteen minutes, Guus Til put the home side back in front. The stand-in captain took advantage of a slip-up by Sven Simons and surprised goalkeeper Jorn Brondeel with a shot from distance. After that, a goal by Adamo Nagalo was disallowed and Pepi scored his second of the evening from Sildillia’s pass.
That wasn’t the end of it, as FC Eindhoven came back to 3-2 before half-time. Blummel scored his second of the evening after preparatory work by Rangelo Janga, partly due to a lack of decisive action from Nagalo.
The central defender from Burkina Faso had to make way for sixteen-year-old youth player Fabian Merién after the break. After that, it remained at the five goals that had fallen before the break, making the Lichtstad Cup a prey for PSV. However, Pepi was close to a hat-trick with a shot against the crossbar and Olij managed to prevent Boris van Schuppen’s 3-3.
For PSV, the season officially starts on Sunday. Go Ahead Eagles will then come to Eindhoven for the battle for the Johan Cruijff Schaal. On Saturday, August 9, PSV will play the first league match of the season, at home against Sparta. FC Eindhoven starts one day earlier against Jong FC Utrecht in the new Keuken Kampioen Divisie season.